It’s Not Easy Being Green…Or Perhaps It Is

With the environment moving to the front of society’s conscience, many people are now planning their funerals with future generations in mind and looking for more environmentally friendly options.

Correspondingly, Tobin Brothers Funerals is taking this concept one step further and believes that a “green” philosophy should not only encompass their service options but also the manner in which the business operates.

For a number of years the company’s significant fleet of vehicles, including hearses and coaches have been washed using tank water. Tobin Brothers Funerals have also installed LED lighting across all 22 branches and began trialling Solar Power, while future projects in review include improving the company’s energy efficiency, reducing waste and implementing systems to considerably reduce paper usage.

Although the expectations of client families of what constitutes a green funeral can vary, a recent survey conducted by Tobin Brothers Funerals highlighted a few important requirements and available service options for environmentally friendly funeral services. In particular natural burial, environmentally friendly coffins or caskets, limited or no use of chemicals in mortuary care and the opportunity to keep the deceased at home until the funeral.

Natural Burial is an alternative to conventional burial and cremation. First pioneered in the UK, the deceased is prepared without chemicals like embalming fluid and placed in a biodegradable coffin, casket or shroud. The deceased must make contact with the soil and therefore is not placed in a vault or burial container. Natural burials can take place both on private land (subject to regulations) and in any cemetery that will accommodate the vault-free technique such as Lilydale, Healesville and Kurweeton Road cemeteries.

This also gives rise to land management techniques, such as sustainable agriculture, restoration ecology, and permaculture to maintain the burial area.

Tobin Brothers Funerals has made it convenient to choose an environmentally friendly coffin or Casket (http://www.tobinbrothers.com.au/arranging-a-funeral/coffins-and-caskets.html#Enviro_Casket), provide accurate information about the service options and allow client families to make informed decisions regarding mortuary care, including keeping the deceased at home until the time of the funeral service.